McConnell's chief of staff to leave

The chief of staff to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) personal office will leave Capitol Hill at the end of the month.

Billy Piper, who has worked for McConnell in some capacity since 1991, is leaving the Hill to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

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"Billy is a trusted advisor, a valued counselor and a close friend. His keen political skills have been indispensable to me and I will deeply miss his service,” McConnell said in a statement.

“Serving Kentucky and Leader McConnell has been the absolute honor of my professional life," Piper, a Louisville native, said. "I never could have imagined the incredible opportunities I would have when I walked into the Russell Office Building almost 20 years ago."

Sharon Soderstrom will continue to serve as the chief of staff for the office of the Republican leader.